40th Club Championships 2005

2005 Club Champion: Patrick Cook

The 2005 Ballarat Chess Club Championship
marks the historic occasion of 40 championship tournaments since
the club was revived in the mid 1960’s and the first tournament
played in 1966. It also marks the amazing record of 40 championship
tournaments for our treasurer life member Kevin Perrin, surely
a record unique in world chess. Kevin also holds the record for
the most titles, with 7 in all. To recognise this achievement,
the club members will present Kevin with a special medallion in
honour of this fantastic playing record.

In addition to the player
of honour, 13 club members entered the fray, a disappointing number
compared to the previous few years, so a single round robin tournament
of championship and reserve players will be held.

Thus a number of strong players
are absent this year: defending champion Gordan Lindberg, 6 times
champion Bas van Riel, Jing Jia, Peter Lumsdon, John Lavery and
Charlie Andrews are all missing and 2003 champion FM Simon Rutherford
has dropped out of chess altogether.

Top seed is Scott Stewart,
who has dominated local chess at times recently but not won the
club championship as yet. Patrick Cook and Kevin Perrin, with
11 titles between them are also contenders, while Jamie Brotheridge
is a dark horse chance. The Director of play is Scott Stewart
and the players committee consists of Kevin Perrin, Robert Bailey
and John Abson. Making a welcome return to the competition is
2-time champion Peter Miitel.

Round 1

The competition got off
to a fighting start with only 1 draw (so far) in the round. Tim
Commons played 1. e4 versus Mitchel Bailey and predictably was
confronted by the Caro-Kann Defence. He held his own into the
middle game before lauching a faulty combination that enabled
Mitchel to comfortably pocket the full point.

Joel Beggs, the only unrated
player in the event also face a Caro-Kann from John Frangakis.
He picked up a pawn in the opening, before lauching a brilliant
combination, featuring the classic Bxh7+ motif that gained a decisive
material advantage.

Scott Stewart showed his opening
versatility by playing the Colle System against Robert Bailey.
Constant pressure by Scott eventually won the exchange and he
converted this to a win with no great drama.

In the battle of the bureaucrats,
club President Patrick Cook played the English against Club Secretary
John Abson. The President prevailed without difficultly.

Michael Schreenan, the lowest
rated player took on improving junior Darren Young and caused
the upset of the round with an elegant Knight move that won Darren’s
Queen. Perhaps in shock Darren played on enabling Michael to hover
the board to his obvious enjoyment before checkmating with 2 Queens.

2004 reserves champion James
Eldridge versus dark horse Jamie Brotheridge was a tense, even
Sicilian Dragon. Both players kept their balance until nerves
got the better of Jamie and he offered a draw on 24 moves. James
happily accepted the ½ point.

The last game, Peter Miitel
versus Kevin Perrin was postponed

Results

James Eldridge v Jamie Brotheridge

½ -½

Peter Miitel v Kevin Perrin

0 - 1

Mitchel Bailey v Tim Commons

1 - 0

Patrick Cook v John Abson

1 - 0

John Frangakis v Joel Beggs

0 - 1

Scott Stewart v Robert Bailey

1 - 0

Darren Young v Michael Schreenan

0 - 1

Round 2

Two games, Kevin Perrin versus James Eldridge
and John Abson versus Peter Miitel were postponed, so only 5 of
the scheduled 7 games were played.

Darren Young versus Scott
Stewart was an interesting battle. Scott made a bold pawn sacrifice
in the opening to gain piece activity, but Darren appeared to
have the better prospects early on. However from the ensuing complex
middlegame, Scott’s knights and queen overwhelmed Darrens
king position and Scott garnered the full point with a final mating
attack.

Robert Bailey versus Patrick
Cook saw a Queens Indian defence from which Patrick emerged with
a somewhat mere flexible position. Black won a pawn in the early
middlegame and after ignoring Rob’s hopeful draw offer won
the game with careful precise endgame play.

John Frangakis versus Michael
Schreenan was a surprisingly tough struggle. John eventually won
a pawn but Michael did exceptionally well to steer the game to
a bishops of opposite colour ending. John’s cautious but
dogged style gained another pawn and Michael resigned when about
to lose a 3rd pawn, judging his position to be hopeless.

Two of the club’s young
Turks, Mitchel Bailey and Joel Beggs met in the battle of the
round; and a battle it was! In a queens gambit tarrasch neither
player could gain a decisive edge and a draw was the inevitable
result.

Jamie Brotheridge versus Tim
Commons was a massacre, a queens gambit declined, white was 3
pieces to the good after just 14 moves. Tim resigned shortly after
and understandably left the club without comment.

Results

Darren Young v Scott Stewart

0 - 1

John Frangakis v Michael Schreenan

1 - 0

Robert Bailey v Patrick Cook

0 - 1

Mitchel Bailey v Joel Beggs

½ - ½

John Abson v Peter Miitel

0 - 1

Jamie Brotheridge v Tim Commons

1 - 0

Kevin Perrin v James Eldridge

½ - ½

Round 3

Round 3 was a setback for
some of the highly fancied players, with the highlight being the
titanic struggle between top seed Scott Stewart and the 2003 reserves
champion John Frangakis. Scott essayed his unual Colle structure
and appeared on course for a convincing win when he caught John’s
king in the centre. Unable to find a decisive breakthrough, Scott
settled for a technical win after trading rook for 2 pieces. John
had other ideas and his rook ran rampart in Scott’s rear,
picking up several pawns to reach a winning position. However,
John was unable to find the correct path and the endgame battle
raged well into the night, finally in a draw after 90 moves.

Joel Beggs versus Jamie Brotheridge
was a fierce battle from a pirc defence. Jamie’s aggressive
pawns proved to be overextended and he resigned after convincing
himself that his 2 pawn deficit was too great.

2004 reserves champion James
Eldridge wheeled out the ancient bishop’s opening against
Tim Commons. Tim kept things tight with a crowded, blocked position
that seemed headed for a draw until James sacrificed a rook for
2 pawns and an attack against Tim’s king and queen which
proved decisive. The soundness of the sacrifice remained unclear
until fritz showed it to be a masterstroke.

Michael Schreenan versus Mitchel
Bailey was, predictably, a Caro-Kann defence. Michael handled
it well, but went astray early in the middle game, losing a piece
and, not long after, the game.

Patrick Cook versus Darren
Young was a tough struggle from an English opening. After carelessly
dropping the exchange, Darren created some looming threats against
Patrick’s castled King at f2 and only careful, accurate
middlegame play saw Patrick convert his advantage.

Kevin Perrin versus John Abson
and Peter Miitel versus Robert Bailey were postponed so John Abson
played Robert Bailey in advance of round 5. The game became a
4 kights after John declined Rob’s offer of a petroff defence.
Rob gained a long term positional advantage, lumbering John with
tripled isolated pawns and had not difficulty in converting this
to a winning material advantage.

Results

Scott Stewart v John Frangakis

½ - ½

Patrick Cook v Darren Young

1 - 0

Michael Schreenan v Mitchel Bailey

0 - 1

Peter Miitel v Robert Bailey

0 - 1

Joel Beggs v Jamie Brotheridge

1 - 0

Kevin Perrin v John Abson

1 - 0

James Eldridge v Tim Commons

1 - 0

Round 4

Round 4 saw Kevin Perrin
return from his overseas business trip. Before the commencement
of play, a short ceremony was held to present Kevin with the special
medallion commissioned to celebrate his 40 years of championship
competition. His “first” game (black versus Rob Bailey)
was a 2. c3 variation of the Sicilian resulting in a difficult
manoeuvring game. Kevin grabbed a how pawn and the initiative,
on the queenside, then further pressure gained a 2nd pawn, which
proved sufficient to win a good game.

John Abson versus James Eldridge
was another Sicilian defence. James won a pawn in the early middle
game, and a second from the hand to hand combat that followed.
These two connected passed pawns gave John no chance and James
notched up a comfortable win.

Jamie Brotheridge played Michael
Schreenan and was confronted by the Tarrash defence. An oversight
by Michael cost him a vishop early on, and there after he was
quickly disposed of.

John Frangakis played tournament
leader Patrick Cook, but was unable to repeat the heroics of the
previous round. The opening, best described as the Frangakis opening
(1. d4 Nf6 2. b3 e6 3. Ba3 …), quickly led to a cramped
position, loss of material and a losing position from which he
did not recover.

Mitchel Bailey versus Scott
Stewart, Darren Young and Tim Commons versus Joel Beggs were all
postponed, so Darren Young played his Round 13 game against Joel
Beggs. A Guico Piano opening, Darren once again was careless and
gave up the exchange on move 10. Joel ruthlessly converted this
to a piece advantage to reach an easily winning endgame which
was finished off with mate..

Results

John Frangakis v Patrick Cook

0 - 1

Mitchel Bailey v Scott Stewart

½ - ½

Darren Young v Peter Miitel

1
- 0

Jamie Brotheridge v Michael Schreenan

1 - 0

Robert Bailey v Kevin Perrin

0 - 1

Tim Commons v Joel Beggs

1 - 0

John Abson v James Eldridge

0 - 1

Round 5

The pick of this round was the dramatic
encounter between 2004 reserves champion James Eldridge and championship
debutant Joel Beggs. James surprised Joel (among others!) by launching
the venerable Kings Gambit, which Joel accepted. A tense, complicated
struggle ensued, with James eventually gaining an edge courtesy
of a pawn advantage. The game reached a minor piece endgame with
James holding two connected passed pawns, which proved sufficient
for victory in an excellent game. A setback for Joel who had started
the event well.

Michael Schreenan versus Tim
Commons was a Philidor’s defence (1. e4 e5, 2. Nf3 d6).
Tim won a pawn in the middle game, but Michael kept the position
tight to reach a double rook ending that he was just not able
to hold, giving Tim his first win of the championship.

Kevin Perrin versus Darren
Young was a tight game arising from the English opening. Darren
won a pawn in the middle game and saddled Kevin win doubled isolated
pawns to boot. He seemed headed for a major upset, but once again,
carelessness cost him dearly, this time dropping a whole rook,
and his chances evaporated.

Patrick Cook, quietly leading
at the start of the round, met solid junior Mitchel Bailey. The
two contested an off-beat Slav defence. Neither player could gain
an edge in the subtle manoeuvring that followed and Patrick, in
a reprise of his old habits, offered a draw on move 15, which
Mitchel happily accepted.

Top seed Scott Stewart, back
from a brief holiday met Jamie Brotheridge later in the week.
A non-descript queen pawn game followed a similar course to the
Cook – Bailey encounter and was drawn in 18 moves without
any great drama.

Two time champion Peter Miitel
finally got under way after missing the first 4 rounds through
illness. His scheduled game versus John Frangakis has been postponed,
so he played his round 2 game versus John Abson. Peter met John’s
1. e4 with the Alekhine’s defence which bizarrely metamorphosed
into an advanced French (1. e4 Nf6, 2. d4? d5?! 3. e5 …).
John soon lost a piece and did not survive for long after that.

John Abson versus Robert Bailey
was played earlier (see round 3).

Results

Patrick Cook v Mitchel Bailey

½ - ½

Peter Miitel v John Frangakis

0 - 1

Scott Stewart v Jamie Brotheridge

½ - ½

Kevin Perrin v Darren Young

1 - 0

Michael Schreenan v Tim Commons

0 - 1

John Abson v Robert Bailey

0 - 1

James Eldridge v Joel Beggs

1 - 0

Round 6

There were several significant results in
this round starting with the game between 2004 reserves runner-up
Tim Commons and top seed Scott Stewart. Tim opened with 1. e4
and was confronted by the Pirc defence. Scott won a pawn in the
early middle-game complications and seemed poised to win the exchange
as well when he completely lost the plot, misplaying the position
to find himself in an endgame of 2 rooks versus a rook and 2 pieces.
A final blunder to lose a rook prompted Scott’s resignation
and Tim having played cool calm chess had pulled off the biggest
upset of the tournament to date.

Jamie Brotheridge played tournament
front-runner Patrick Cook and a lively Nimzo-Indian defence became
an interesting middle-game. After 17 moves Patrick noticed the
upset on the next board between Tim and Scott and promptly offered
a draw which Jamie declined after some thought. A second draw
offer from Patrick on move 24 was also declined, and Jamie was
later to rue the decision after being outplayed in the late middle-game
and suffering catastrophic material loss. A big boost to Patrick’s
championship hopes.

Mitchel Bailey versus Peter
Miitel was a peculiar Benko Gambit. An even blow for blow struggle,
the game seemed headed for a draw when Mitchel erred to lose the
exchange and resigned in disgust.

In the basement battle, Darren
Young met John Abson. Despite the open nature of the bishop’s
opening the game was a long positional struggle, with nothing
exchanged for the first 14 moves. Darren however, seems to have
a positive dislike for his rooks and once again carelessly dropped
the exchange, allowing John to show some good nerves, and technique,
to register his first points in the event.

Robert Bailey took on James
Eldridge who adopted the Sicilian Scheveningen. A cut and thrust
opening led to an uncompromising middle-game, typical of the Sicilian,
until an oversight by James in a combination handed Rob a dominating
position, which James soon conceded.

John Frangakis versus Kevin
Perrin was postponed.

Results

Mitchel Bailey v Peter Miitel

0 - 1

Jamie Brotheridge v Patrick Cook

0 - 1

John Frangakis v Kevin Perrin

0
- 1

Tim Commons v Scott Stewart

1 - 0

Darren Young v John Abson

0 - 1

Joel Beggs v Michael Schreenan

1 - 0

Robert Bailey v James Eldridge

1 - 0

Round 7

In an extravagantly violent
round, all played games were decided; most were miniatures!

Peter Miitel versus Jamie
Brotheridge was the longest game of the evening. Peter set up
a Colle-like structure, which Jamie faced with a Queen’s
Indian setup. Peter’s subtle positional style gained him
the exchange early in the middle-game and he seemed on track for
a fine win, when he found his queen had been trapped. Trading
her majesty for a rook left him effectively a piece down and Peter
resigned after a tactical melee left him with no chance.

Kevin Perrin played Mitchel
Bailey and after 1.e4 the game was predictably a Caro-Kann defence.
Mitchel an expert on this defence, surprisingly made a mistake
early and lost a pawn. He resigned on 19 moves when about to lose
a piece as well.

Patrick Cook played Tim Commons,
the giant killer of the previous round. Tim spent the afternoon
preparing for Laren’s opening and got exactly the position
he wanted. It was to no avail, however, as Patrick launched into
a tactical assault that Tim was unable to cope with and he resigned
after 19 moves.

Scott Stewart took on Joel
Beggs and played his favorite Bird’s opening (1.f4). Scott,
in his typical Tal-like fashion, offered a speculative exchange
sacrifice for piece activity and a possible kingside attack. However,
Joel responded with a sortie of his own that left Scott with a
ruined position and he resigned after just 15 moves.

James Eldridge played Michael
Schreenan and once again wheeled out the antiquated, but still
potent, bishop’s opening (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4). James had little
difficulty overcoming Michael’s resistance and won comfortably
in 23 moves.

John Abson versus John Frangakis,
and Robert Bailey versus Darren Young were postponed, so John
found time to play his round 13 game versus Scott Stewart. In
keeping with the spirit of the night, the game was short and violent.
After a peculiar Petroff/Giuco Piano mutation, John overlooked
the loss of a piece on move 8 and resigned after 16 moves when
facing further material loss.

The round 8 game, Michael
Schreenan versus Scott Stewart was also played during the week.
Once again, Scott defended with his strange version of the Pirc
(1.e4 d6 2.d4 f5?!). Michael handled it well until “a rush
of blood” saw him sacrifice his queen for a piece. The tactics
were imaginative, but were never going to succeed, and Scott registered
a comfortable win.

Results

Peter Miitel v Jamie Brotheridge

0 - 1

Kevin Perrin v Mitchel Bailey

1 - 0

Patrick Cook v Tim Commons

1 - 0

John Abson v John Frangakis

0 - 1

Scott Stewart v Joel Beggs

0 - 1

Robert Bailey v Darren Young

1 - 0

James Eldridge v Michael Schreenan

1 - 0

Round 8

The big battle of this round saw 4th seed
Jamie Brotheridge take on the player of honour 3rd seed Kevin
Perrin. A non-descript queen pawn opening led to an unbalanced
middlegame position similar to those arising from the Grunfeld
Defence. Both players launched attacks on opposite wings with
Jamie’s forces camped menacingly around Kevin’s king.
Neither player gave any quarter and Kevin broke through on the
queenside and was poised to deliver mate when Jamie launched his
own mating combination to force Kevin’s resignation.

Joel Beggs, challenging for
the title despite his unrated status, played 2nd seed Patrick
Cook. An unusual line of Alekhine’s Defence, introduced
to the club last year by John Lavery, was handled comfortably
by Patrick and he gained the type of positioned edge he normally
thrives on. But an un characteristic tactical blunder gave Joel
2 pieces for a rook and a winning position. Patrick never misses
an opportunity for a draw however, and promptly offered one. Joel
surprisingly accepted, citing fatigue and hunger (!). This leaves
Patrick as the last undefeated player.

Tim Commons played 2 time
champion Peter Miitel and was confronted by Alekhine’s Defence,
this time a wild line made famous in a game between David Bronstein
and Ljubomir Ljubojevic (Petropolis, 1973). Tim kept his nerve
and gained an imposing looking pawn centre, whereupon Peter lost
his nerve and offered a draw, which Tim accepted. A good result
for the 2004 reserves runner-up.

Mitchel Bailey played club
Secretary John Abson. From a Queen’s Gambit Accepted, Mitchel
picked up a pawn in the early middle game and thereafter played
careful, sensible chess until John gave himself enough weaknesses
for Mitchel to gain a decisive material advantage.

Darren Young met reserves
champion James Eldridge. As usual Darren opened with 1. e4 and
was confronted by the Sicilian Defence. Like most of Darren’s
games, this was a though encounter. James gained come initiative
against Darren’s strong resistance and gradually built up
an imposing attack against his king. A final combination played
with aplomb by James, then ended the game in his favor.

John Frangakis versus Rob
Bailey was postponed, so Rob played his round 13 game versus Michael
Schreenan. Another Queen’s Gambit Accepted, Rob had little
difficultly in notching up his 3rd win of the event.

Results

Jamie Brotheridge v Kevin Perrin

1 - 0

Tim Commons v Peter Miitel

½ - ½

Mitchel Bailey v John Abson

1 - 0

Joel Beggs v Patrick Cook

½ - ½

John Frangakis v Robert Bailey

0
- 1

Michael Schreenan v Scott Stewart

0 - 1

Darren Young v James Eldridge

0 - 1

Round 9

12th seed John Abson faced 4th seed Jamie
Brotheridge this round and “played his socks off”!
After 1. e4 d5 (the Scandinavian Defence) the opening rapidly
metamorphosed into an Advance French Defence. Jamie, strangely
favoured to win this encounter found John’s resistance surprisingly
robust. After John found a brilliant, winning move (19. e6!),
Jamie was left red faced and would have resigned but for John’s
draw offer, prompted by stage fright.

2 time champion Peter Miitel
met the dangerous unrated debutant Joel Beggs and played his usual
Colle-like opening. Peter gained a pawn in the opening and then
demonstrated his technique by “chopping wood” to reach
a pawn ending, still a pawn to the good, which he converted comfortably.
A setback for the well placed Joel.

Robert Bailey met Mitchel
Bailey and after 1. e4 a Caro-Kann ensued, predictably enough.
Mitchel had gained a pawn and the 2 Bishop’s by the early
middlegame with his quiet, unspectacular style and after picking
up a 2nd pawn seemed on track for a win. Rob, however, had been
building up an attack against Mitchel’s king and when launched,
it proved to be a brilliant counterstroke, forcing Mitchel’s
resignation.

Tournament frontrunner, Patrick
Cook, played an English opening against Michael Schreenan and
had no trouble howling in the full point after winning a piece
for a pawn in the opening.

Darren Young versus John Frangakis
was postponed, as was Kevin Perrin versus Tim Commons.

Top seed Scott Stewart, in
the process of moving interstate, has been anxious to complete
his tournament beforehand and so faced the played of honour Kevin
Perrin, in advance of round 12. A Bird’s opening, Scott
found himself under pressure early by his determined opponent
after giving up the exchange and a pawn for vague attacking chances
and a dangerous looking passed pawn. This seemed insufficient
against Kevin’s solid technique and the game looked over
when the players reached a queen plus minor piece endgame with
Scott 3 pawns(!) in arrears. However, inventive tactics by Scott
combined with Kevin’s growing time pressure transformed
the position and only Scott’s exposed king prevented him
pressing for a win, instead of accepting a draw.

The postponed round 4 game
Mitchel Bailey versus Scott Stewart was also “played”
during the week. The players reprised an “infamous”
game from the 1970s (Miles vs Reuben, Luton 1975) when they agreed
a draw without making a move!

Results

Kevin Perrin v Tim Commons

1 - 0

John Abson v Jamie Brotheridge

½ - ½

Peter Miitel v Joel Beggs

1 - 0

Robert Bailey v Mitchel Bailey

1 - 0

Patrick Cook v Michael Schreenan

1 - 0

Darren Young v John Frangakis

0 - 1

James Eldridge v Scott Stewart

0 - 1

Round 10

The last undefeated record
came to an end this round when Scott Stewart played the unbeaten
2nd seed Patrick Cook. A Bird’s opening (Scott’s speciality!),
the game reached a known theoretical position rather quickly.
In the early middle game, Patrick built up dangerous pressure
down the only open file. Tactical operations by Scott relieved
the pressure and when Patrick missed a chance to force a draw
by repetition on move 21, Scott gained the upper hand when he
won a piece for a pawn. Patrick’s attempts to draw by perpetual
check were side stepped by Scott, who then went on to win a fine
game. This was the top seeds last game and he thus finishes with
9/13.

Tim Commons met John Abson
and once again a peculiar Petroff defence was played. John dropped
a piece through an oversight quite early, and did not survive
long, thereafter. “I was left at the barrier by Tim”
was John’s laconic comment after the game.

Joel Beggs played Kevin Perrin
in what was expected to be a though encounter. A main-line Sicilian,
Kevin’s vast experience told, When Joel realised to his
horror that he was losing a piece on move 14 and promptly resigned.
A important win for Kevin who is very much in contention for the
title in his 40th championship tournament!

Michael Schreenan versus Peter
Miitel was a rare Alekhine line (1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5). White dropped
a piece for a pawn early and Peter had no difficultly in converting
his advantage.

Mitchel Bailey played the
struggling junior Darren Young. A queen’s gambit declined.
Darren kept things tight, as he usually does, but eventually,
Mitchel’s persistent pressure resulted in Darren cracking
and he conceded 2 bishops for a rook and pawn. He then “fell
apart” and registered his 8th consecutive loss.

The game of the round was
undoubtedly Jamie Brotheridge versus Robert Bailey. A Nimzo-Indian
defence (Leningrad variation), Rob handled it well and picked
up a pawn in the middle game to be sitting comfortably. Jamie
then launched a spectacular rook sacrifice which forced Rob’s
king into the open. His follow-up seemed slightly inaccurate,
enabling Rob to survive into “extra-time”, but he
ultimately succumbed to Jamie’s persistence after 80 moves.
A just reward for Jamie’s bravery.

Kevin Perrin managed to fit
in his postponed round 3 game versus John Abson. A Scotch opening
(1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4), this encounter was much more dramatic
than expected thanks to John’s burst of confidence following
from his heroics last round. Kevin won on time!, and admitted
later he was very lucky.

Tim Commons also played his
postponed game versus Joel Beggs from round 4. Another Petroff,
sharp opening play saw black gain a pawn. However, Tim organised
his forces very well indeed to seize the initiative and regain
the pawn. After reaching a queen and pawns ending, Joel resigned
after the queens were traded and he saw that his position was
hopeless.

John Frangakis versus James
Eldridge was postponed.

Results

Tim Commons v John Abson

1 - 0

Joel Beggs v Kevin Perrin

0 - 1

Jamie Brotheridge v Robert Bailey

1 - 0

Michael Schreenan v Peter Miitel

0 - 1

Mitchel Bailey v Darren Young

1 - 0

Scott Stewart v Patrick Cook

1 - 0

John Frangakis v James Eldridge

1
- 0

Round 11

With 10 rounds played and
only 3 to go, the tournament standings remain somewhat unclear.
Top seed Scott Stewart has finished on 9/13. This is likely to
be insufficient for a top 3 placing. 2nd seed Patrick Cook is
well placed on 8/10 but needs to win his last 3 games to be certain
of victory, since Kevin Perrin on 5½/7 could snatch his
8th title by winning all his remaining games. As fate has it,
these 2 experienced players are due to meet in the last round.

So round 11 had some important
encounters, starting with the game between 2004 reserves champion
James Eldridge and 2nd seed Patrick Cook. James opened with 1.
e4 and was confronted with the Alekhine defence. Once again, the
peculiar line introduced to the club by John Lavery was played
and as in his game versus Joel Beggs, Patrick simply ignored it
in favor of development. Balck gradually took over the initiative
in the middle game until the pressure gained him a pawn. James
resigned after a neat combination by Patrick won a piece as well.

Robert Bailey versus Tim Commons
was a Chigorin defence! Via the unusual move order 1. d4 Nc6 2.
c4 d5 Tim rather misplayed the opening allowing Rob to rapidly
gain the upperhand. Tim fought his way back into the game and
in a dramatic reversal of fortunes snatched a rook and 2 pieces
for his queen, and then showed splendid technique to marshal his
forces to push home the victory. A great game by Tim.

Jamie Brotheridge versus Darren
Young was a Sicilian. White won a pawn in the opening, and as
usual with Darren;s games, the ensuing middle game proved to be
tough manoeuvring battle until black collapsed, conceding queen
for rook and with it the game.

John Abson met Joel Beggs
in a Ruy Lopez. Neither player got much from the opening, but
Joel eventually picked up 2 pawns in the middle game to seemingly
have a stranglehold on the game. However, John has gained some
confidence of late and went king hunting, forcing Joel to defend
with some accuracy before he was able to cash in his material
advantage.

With Mitchel absent and Peter
having played Scott, Peter Miitel and John Frangakis played their
postponed round 5 game. Once again, Peter played his solid if
unambitious, Colle system. He gained a pawn early, but was under
pressure from John’s steady play. A few judicious exchanges
eased matters and Peter had the win in sight when a dreadful oversight
dropped a rook and he resigned on the spot.

Results

John Abson v Joel Beggs

0 - 1

Robert Bailey v Tim Commons

0 - 1

Kevin Perrin v Michael Schreenan

1
- 0

Darren Young v Jamie Brotheridge

0 - 1

Peter Miitel v Scott Stewart

0 - 1

John Frangakis v Mitchel Bailey

1 - 0

James Eldridge v Patrick Cook

0 - 1

Round 12

Joel Beggs, playing his final game met Rob
Bailey and was confronted by the Sicilian Najdorf variation. A
typically cut and thrust game ensued until black seized control
of the game and won 2 pawns in the late middle game. After trading
down to a rook ending, still 2 pawns to the good, Rob had no difficulty
in winning a fine game.

Michael Schreenan played John
Abson and a Ruy Lopez resulted in a real fight. White grabbed
a pawn early at the cost of a damaged pawn structure. Once again
John focused on a direct attack on white’s castled king
and in the middle game complications John bravely sacrificed a
piece to set up a mating attack. Sadly, his courage was to no
avail as he misplayed the follow up and Michael survived to convert
his material advantage for his 2nd win in the tournament.

Jamie Brotheridge played John
Frangakis, after 1. e4, John opted for the Caro-Kann defence.
He won a pawn early and tense manoeuvring followed which was ended
abruptly when John blundered a piece and resigned.

Patrick Cook played 2 tiem
champion Peter Miitel and again wheeled out his favorite opening,
Larsen opening (1. b3). The game was short and sharp after Peter
adopted an unusual response, he resigned after 13 moves when Patrick
launched a spectacular combination that appeared to win the exchange,
but ultimately led to equality. An important win for Patrick who
now needs only to beat Kevin Perrin to win the championship.

Tim Commons versus Darren
Young was postponed, so the round 9 game Kevin Perrin versus Tim
Commons was played instead. A scotch opening, Tim quickly lost
material and was in a “hopeless” position still in
the opening, but his optimism and perseverance got him back into
the game with some play. The material deficit was too great however
and Kevin kept his head to win and maintain his title chances.

Also played was the round
13 encounter James Eldridge versus Peter Miitel. A Pirc defence,
the game was an interesting battle along sharp, tactical lines
that ended in a draw, after neither player could gain a decisive
edge.

Mitchel Bailey versus James
Eldridge was also postponed.

Results

Joel Beggs v Robert Bailey

0 - 1

Michael Schreenan v John Abson

1 - 0

Tim Commons v Darren Young

1
- 0

Scott Stewart v Kevin Perrin

½ - ½

Jamie Brotheridge v John Frangakis

1 - 0

Patrick Cook v Peter Miitel

0 - 1

Mitchel Bailey v James Eldridge

0 - 1

Round 13

The official last round
of the tournament, but many postponed games have yet to be played,
so the event may take a few more weeks to be finalised. Only three
games were actually played on this night.

The crunch game was undoubtebly
the encounter between 7 time champion Kevin Perrin and 4 time
champion Patrick Cook. A win for Patrick would confirm him as
the 2005 club champion, while a draw or a win for Kevin would
give him excellent chances of adding another championship to his
record.

The game was a Queens Indian
Defence, fianchetto variation. Neither player gained an edge from
the opening, so the struggle in the early middlegame was tense,
revolving around Kevin's pawn majority in the centre versus Patrick's
on the queenside. Late in the middlegame, Patrick grabbed a central
passed pawn to gain a grip on the game and followed up with a
direct attack on Kevin's King. The game ended with an elegant
combination after Kevin unwisely grabbed a sacrificed knight only
to find himself caught in a mating net. Thus Patrick Cook, 2nd
seed, is confirmed as the 2005 Ballarat Chess Club champion.

Darren Young met Peter Miitel
and played the ancient Bishop's opening. The game was very even
for the first 14 moves. White then won a pawn which prompted Peter
to immediately resign; a strange decision that nevertheless gave
Darren his first point for the tournament.

John Frangakis versus Tim
Commons was an important game for the reserves championship race.
A non-descript Queen Pawn Opening, both bishop pairs came off
early, resulting in a manovering game, which suits John's style.
Whilst slowing building up a big Queenside push, John found himself
pressured by Tim's counterattack in the centre. Tim pressed on
with a brilliant concept that had one big flaw, it left his Queen
en prise, and John happily nabbed it to end Tim's reserves aspirations.

Epilogue

The
40th Ballarat Club Championship is over! The winner is Patrick
Cook and the reserves champion is John
Frangakis.

Congratulations to Patrick
and John and many thanks to all of those who competed in
a close and hard fought tournament.

Players

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

Total

1

James Eldridge (1369)

½

1

0

0

0

1

1

0

1

1

1

½

½

7½

2

Peter Miitel (1291)

½

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

1

½

0

0

5

3

Mitchel Bailey (1432)

0

0

½

0

½

1

1

0

½

1

1

0

0

5½

4

Patrick Cook (1592)

1

1

½

1

0

1

1

1

½

1

1

1

1

11

5

John Frangakis (1308)

1

1

1

0

½

1

1

0

0

1

1

0

0

7½

6

Scott Stewart (1730)

1

1

½

1

½

1

1

1

0

1

0

½

½

9

7

Darren Young (1126)

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

8

Michael Schreenan (909)

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

2

9

Robert Bailey (1468)

1

1

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

1

0

0

0

8

10

Joel Beggs (unr)

0

0

½

½

1

1

1

1

0

1

0

0

1

7

11

John Abson (1068)

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

½

1½

12

Tim Commons (1337)

0

½

0

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

0

6½

13

Kevin Perrin (1582)

½

1

1

0

1

½

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

10

14

Jamie Brotheridge (1520)

½

1

1

0

1

½

1

1

1

0

½

1

1

9½

Enter your games at Chessmicrobase

The A grade plays for the Andy Miitel Championship trophy, and the B grade for John Baynham Reserves title. Andy Miitel was a former club president who was instrumental in revitalising and reconstituting the club in the mid nineteen sixties after the club had become somewhat moribund in the early sixties. John Baynham was an important club administrator in the late sixties and early seventies.